Might be his plays just aren't my thing. It's dark and twisted, as everyone keeps saying, and that's indeed the case. But aside from some nervous chuckles and a few mild a-ha moments when things are revealed or hinted at, I don't really gain much from it. Near the beginning, the exposition of Halie sort of talking to herself struck me as a bit clumsy. (Dare I say that about a Pulitzer winner?) My ear is rather sensitive to that kind of dialogue. It's a short read, anyway. Don't let me dissuade you from what others apparently love here. I got distracted wondering how an amputee character manages to leave the couch that hides the actor's leg to crawl after his prosthesis. Easily distracted am I. I guess I just didn't quite connect with this particular play on a deeper level. Maybe it's my own fault for not being able to fully immerse myself in its dark and complex world. However, I can still appreciate that others might find great value and enjoyment in it. Each person has their own taste and perspective when it comes to art and literature.

I read this play with friends, and it was truly exceptionally fabulous.

Surprisingly, it was much shorter than I had initially expected.

To be honest, for most of the time while reading, I didn't quite understand what was going on.

I did manage to grasp that this family had some secrets and had endured tragedy, and as a result, they seemed a bit nuts.

However, I couldn't fathom what had driven them all to such a crazy state.

My final understanding of what the author was trying to convey is that when people deny the sins they have committed, it gives rise to mental problems.

Perhaps he was also making a statement about mid-western families, suggesting that many of them act as if not talking about tragedy will somehow help to heal it.

I think the time period in which he wrote this was a sort of psychological awakening.

Younger people were increasingly delving into psychology and exploring the concept that even the darkest of secrets needed to be discussed in order to achieve healing.

In the end, I gave it 4 stars because it had a deep message, but I felt it needed more complexity and depth to be truly spectacular.

This play was, without a doubt, far superior to "Death of a Salesman". However, once more, the ideology of the American Dream was introduced.

The entire story was rather bizarre. There was incest, a one-legged man, a nagging wife, a forgotten son, a dying old man, and, of course, a buried child. The elements that brought this story to life were indeed interesting.

Essentially, it was about a family secret that drove everyone crazy. And until the truth was disclosed, nothing would be resolved.

Would I read it again? Probably not. But I did enjoy the experience to some extent.

It was a strange and captivating tale that delved into the darker aspects of family and the American Dream. The combination of unusual characters and a mysterious plot made it a memorable read, although perhaps not one that I would rush to revisit.

Overall, it was an interesting exploration of the human psyche and the secrets that can tear a family apart.

HALIE’S VOICE: Dodge? Is that you Dodge? Tilden was right about the corn you know. I’ve never seen such

corn. Have you taken a look at it lately? Dazzling. Tall as a man already. This early in the year. Carrots

too. Potatoes. Peas. It’s like a paradise out there, Dodge. You oughta take a look. A miracle. I’ve never

seen it like this. Maybe the rain did something. Maybe it was the rain. (As Halie keeps talking offstage,

Tilden appears from L., dripping with mud from the knees down. His arms and hands are covered with

mud. In his hands he carries the corpse of a small child at chest level, staring down at it. The corpse

mainly consists of bones wrapped in muddy, rotten cloth.)

VINCE: Dad? You’re all muddy … where you been?

TILDEN: Out back.

VINCE: What you got in your hands?

TILDEN: A baby … A tiny little baby. (As Halie continues, Tilden slowly makes his way up the stairs. His eyes

never leave the corpse of the child. The lights keep fading.)

Buried Child commences with a poem by Pablo Neruda and concludes with a wish over the blessings of the vegetation deity. The playwright deftly exploits all ecological elements, and at this precise moment, the play reaches its conclusion.

The American Dream in Sam Shepard, which sounds both moving and heart-wrenching, accounts for a kind of bereavement and mourning ritual over the land of GREATNESS. However, this does not necessarily lead to the realization of dreams.

The quotes here bring to mind Seamus Haney's poem Digging. Both the poem and this final scene can be analyzed through the lens of Ecocriticism. In this approach, we can uncover the significance of the land for a people who pursued the American dream, the disappointment that has occurred during the course of this dream, and the illusion that has now come to an end.

The last scene, which is highly surreal, creates a genre that blurs the boundaries between different schools, a sort of postmodern narrative. Unlike other plays that focus on the American dream, this is not a realist play but rather combines different styles. This grand narrative of all hopes that cannot be realized on the ground is what has affected ordinary people.

Hyper-Reality and Fragmentation of Identity: An application of Baudrillard’s theories to The Buried Child

We exist in a world where signs no longer point to something else but rather to themselves. As a result, the world of signs supplants reality as signs are deemed more real than reality itself. This is what Baudrillard refers to as hyper-reality. Additionally, in his work The Illusion of the End, Baudrillard contends that the past is disappearing. This is possible due to the lifelessness of real events caused by the unrestricted play of signs.

Postmodernism reexamines the epistemological question of identity as Modernism was unable to answer "what the I is" and "what makes it what it is." All it managed to do was define the subject in negative terms. Baudrillard approaches the issue of identity with his theory of the fragmentation of identity. That is, the subject is always the manifestation of one of the numerous possibilities it could have become after birth. For Baudrillard, these other subjects, these other selves, do not vanish with time and are constantly in the process of being formed. Occasionally, it is possible to become one of these other selves. In reality, the subject is preoccupied with these coexisting selves, fixated on what else it could have become. Therefore, identity is fragmented and unstable. In fact, in the hyper-real world of simulation where no duality of self/other is possible, signs and images determine the identity of the self. Subjects appropriate simulated identities through signs. Consequently, identity disappears just as reality does.

In The Buried Child, identity is something the characters invent for themselves; it is a sign in their hyper-real world that accidentally acquires meaning for them. Vince returns to his family because he wants to know but is not recognized by any family member, which also implies the disappearance of the past. However, when he leaves the house and returns a second time, he is recognized by the family. He was about to run away, as he explains to Shelly, but when he looks at the windscreen, he sees in his face "his father and his grandfather … Same eyes. Same mouth. Same breath." Therefore, he indeed returns to a fragmented and blurred identity himself, a genetic identity. The Vince in the third act and the Vince at the end of the story have different simulations of identity. Dodge's identity is also not stable. Although he is portrayed as an always drunk and unreliable figure, Halie suggests that he "used to be a good man." Similarly, Tilden used to be a man of adventure, but after the trauma of the family, he becomes a completely different man. Even in the case of Shelly, we can see that she loses her sense of secure identity. She no longer knows herself and says "I don't even know what I'm doing here." In conclusion, it can be said that the play demonstrates the fact that identity is not stable but fragmented, simulated, and created.

This analysis of The Buried Child through the lens of Baudrillard's theories reveals the complex and fluid nature of identity in a hyper-real world. The characters' identities are constantly evolving and being redefined, highlighting the instability and fragmentation that Baudrillard argues is characteristic of modern identity.

By examining the play in this way, we gain a deeper understanding of the themes of identity and reality that are central to both the play and Baudrillard's work.

I truly have no idea how to rate this play.

We are going to be reading it in the upcoming semester. I believe I will hold off until a second reading before I can put the story of these extremely messed up characters into perspective.

When it comes to families, this particular family is just way too strange. It actually makes you feel grateful for the crazy family circus that you have grown up in.

Perhaps after the second reading, I will have a better understanding of the complex relationships and the overall theme of the play.

For now, I'll just have to keep an open mind and see where this literary journey takes me.

This was a dark and powerful play.

It delved deep into the recesses of the human psyche, exploring themes of love, loss, and the struggle for power. The characters were complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own motives and desires.

The setting was equally as important, with a dark and foreboding atmosphere that added to the overall sense of unease. The dialogue was sharp and engaging, drawing the audience in and keeping them on the edge of their seats.

Overall, this play was a masterful work of art that left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it. It was a powerful reminder of the beauty and tragedy that exists within the human experience.

Whether you are a fan of theater or simply looking for a thought-provoking and engaging evening, this play is not to be missed.

The characters initially presented an interesting facade, and the play appeared to be progressing in a promising direction. However, what ultimately emerged was a nightmarish jumble.

I actually had to resort to googling the play afterwards because it was somewhat perplexing, and I didn't fully comprehend the ending, which detracted from the overall experience of the play.

What I came to realize is that this play is highly metaphorical and quite existentialist, similar to the way Beckett would pen his works. The only distinction is that it was extremely difficult to discern what this play was attempting to convey, whether it was truly existentialist or not.

From the perspective of the audience, it does possess some remarkable drama and engaging moments. Nevertheless, the ending and the story itself are deficient and just overly bewildering.

Overall, while there were elements of interest, the play ultimately fell short in its ability to effectively communicate its intended message and provide a satisfying conclusion.

A masterpiece is a work of art, literature, music, or any other creative field that is considered to be of the highest quality and significance. It is a creation that stands the test of time and continues to inspire and influence generations of people.

However, it is important to note that a masterpiece is not always easy to understand or appreciate. Sometimes, a literal interpretation of a masterpiece can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. This is because a masterpiece often contains hidden meanings, symbols, and themes that require a deeper level of analysis and understanding.

Therefore, when approaching a masterpiece, it is important to keep an open mind and be willing to explore its various aspects. We should not simply take the words or images at face value, but rather try to understand the context in which the work was created and the intentions of the artist or author. Only then can we truly appreciate the beauty and significance of a masterpiece.

Warning: A literal interpretation will only trip you up!

I have heard (and feel like I will continue to hear) great things about this play.

To me, it was unrelentingly heavy and dark. There didn't seem to be a speck of joy to thin out all the secrecy and tragedy behind the central family.

Reading the play was so thick that I wasn't even really sure what the hell was going on by the end of it.

Seeing the play later on in the same month failed to clear much up.

It was really only years later, after having the opportunity to forget a lot of the extra crap, that I realized the play is really simple.

There's a mentally-disabled guy, and a dead child in the family has pretty much ruined his slim chance at normalcy.

I understand that a lot of things can be left to your own imagination about if they were hallucinations, dreams, or perhaps just a warped timeline.

Often tactics like this will lead to a better, more interesting story.

Sadly, this is not Sam Shepard's best work. Instead of widening options, he just muddies the water with too many questions.

It leaves the play seeming deeper than it really is.

Little action in the present combined with EXTREMELY verbose characters just adds to the piles of garbage obscuring the story.

Overall, while there may be some elements that could potentially be interesting, the play as a whole falls short due to its convoluted nature and lack of clear direction.

It's a shame that such a talented playwright didn't manage to create a more engaging and satisfying work with this particular play.

Perhaps with a different approach or a bit more clarity, it could have been a truly great piece of theater.

But as it stands, it remains a somewhat disappointing and confusing experience.

**Title: The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle**

In today's fast-paced world, people often neglect their health.

We are so busy with work, studies, and other commitments that we forget to take care of ourselves.

However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for our overall well-being.

A healthy lifestyle includes eating a balanced diet, getting enough exercise, and getting sufficient sleep.

Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide our bodies with the necessary nutrients to function properly.

Regular exercise can help us maintain a healthy weight, improve our cardiovascular health, and boost our mood.

And getting enough sleep is essential for our bodies to repair and rejuvenate.

In addition to these basic aspects of a healthy lifestyle, it is also important to manage stress.

Stress can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health.

We can manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

We can also find ways to reduce stress in our daily lives, such as by delegating tasks, taking breaks, or spending time with friends and family.

In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle is essential for our well-being.

By making small changes to our daily habits, we can improve our health and quality of life.

So, let's all make an effort to eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and manage stress.

Your body will thank you!

Creepy but really good.

This phrase sums up a particular experience or thing that has an element of spookiness or unease, yet still manages to be highly enjoyable or of great quality.

It could refer to a horror movie that makes your skin crawl with its eerie atmosphere and terrifying scenes, but at the same time, you can't help but be captivated by its well-crafted plot and出色的 special effects.

Or perhaps it's a haunted house attraction that gives you chills as you walk through its dark corridors, but you leave with a sense of excitement and a newfound appreciation for the art of creating fear.

Even in literature, there are stories that are creepy in nature, with their descriptions of strange creatures and mysterious events, yet they draw you in and keep you turning the pages.

So, while the idea of something being creepy might seem off-putting at first, it can actually lead to a really good and memorable experience.

Whether it's the thrill of being scared or the admiration for the skill and creativity that goes into making something creepy, there's no denying the allure of the creepy but really good.